1916 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-1801/1994

Coin Details

Auction Record

$115,000 PR64 01-01-2009 Heritage Auctions

Description

A dual-numbered Walking Liberty half dollar pattern bearing catalog numbers J-1801 and 1994, closely related to the primary Walking Liberty pattern entry J-1994. The shared alternative catalog number 1994 links this piece directly to the main Walking Liberty pattern entry, suggesting they may share die elements while differing in composition, edge treatment, or die state. The Walking Liberty half dollar emerged from a design competition that invited three sculptors to submit proposals: Weinman, MacNeil, and Polasek. Weinman's full-figure striding Liberty was a bold departure from conventional coin portraiture and drew on his training under Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who had championed the integration of fine art principles into American coin design during the 1907 gold coinage revolution. Weinman's Liberty is often compared to the Nike of Samothrace (Winged Victory) in the Louvre — both depict a female figure in dynamic forward motion, with drapery flowing dramatically behind. The dual numbering system reflects the complex cataloging history of American pattern coins, where multiple reference works have assigned independent numbers to the same pieces.

Rarity Notes

R-7 (Extremely Rare). Dual-numbered Walking Liberty patterns are individually very scarce.

Cross References

Judd J-1801, also cataloged as 1994